Pakistan’s defence minister, Khwaja Asif, faced scrutiny on CNN after claiming Pakistan shot down five Indian jets during Operation Sindoor. He cited social media as his source, drawing a sharp response from the anchor. This followed India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, responding to the Phalgam attack that killed 26 people.

Following India’s strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are on high alert. Public events are cancelled, schools are shut, and security is tightened. Airports face closures and flight disruptions, while railway stations increase surveillance. The nation prepares for potential retaliation, prioritizing civilian safety and readiness in border states.

The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ was chosen by the government for its ability to humanise the victims and survivors of the Pahalgam massacre.